Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1887-09-16
Volume XLIV.---No. II.
Sam Houston's Duel.

In 1926, six miles south Of Franklin
Kentucky, on the farm Of H. J. Dun.
can, two'hundred yards from the Ten
nessee line was fought duel which
created wide : spread excitement
throughout the Union, owing to the
reputation of the principals. In 1926,
Gen. Sam Houston was a membor Of
Congress from the Nashville district
in Tennessee, and sending home for
distribution a number of public docu-
ments, he claimed that Curry, the
postmaster at Nashville, suppressed
and failed to deliver them and de-
nsunced him as scoundrel. For this
Curry sent him challenge by Gen.
White. Houston refused to receive
the message, as he stated, "from such
a contemplate source throwing it on
the GROUND and stamping on it. Gen.
White said he was surprised, as he
expected Houston to fight. TO this
Hosstou retorted. 'Do you try me-"
OF course challenge from White
which Houston promptly accepted.
The terms and conditions were, fifteen
feet distance holster pistols, time,
sunrise The place chosen as stated,
was in Simpson county. On the 23d
day of September, 1926, the parties
met at the designated. point with
their seconds
The fact that duel was to be fought
had gone abroad and a number Of
persons had secreted themselves near
the field to witness the affair a fact
unknown to either principals or Sec
onds. After first shots had been ex-
changed and White had fallen to the
ground the reople rushed to the spot.
Houston seeing them and fearing an
arrest started toward ths state line
with a view of escaping. Gen. White
called to him, General you have kill
ed me-" Houston then faced the
crowd with pistols still in hand and
inquired if there were any officers of
the law among them and ::belng an
swered in the negative he advanced to
the side of his late antagonist and
kneeling by him took his hand say.
ing.
81 am very sorry for you but You
know that it was forced upon me"
Gen. White replied, Il know it and
forgive you." White had been shot
through just above the hips, and to
cleanse the wound of blood the sur
geons run one Of their old fashioned
silk neckerchiefs through the wound.
Gen, White recovered from his fearful
wound as much to the Joy of Hous-
ton as 10 himself. During the week
prscesiing the duel Gsn HaBasx.. -.
mained ut the home of Sanford Dun
can, rear the field, practicing mean
while with pistols.
At his temporary home were two
belligerent young dogs, named for
their puguacious disposition Andrew
Jackson aud Thomas H. Benton.-
These were continually fighting
Iiouston's political sentiments lead
ing him to espouse the cause of the
jackson pup, who, very much to his
delight Was a constant winner in the
trays. The hour of arising and pre-
pairing for the duel OH the arrival Of
the day was 3 40 Il m.
Just before that hour "Gen. Jack
son" barked beneath the wind,w Of
his admirers room, awakening him.
Houston arc without dis urbing his
attending friends, and began the task
of molding bullets with which to fight
General White. AS the first bullet
fell from the mold a game cock, which
he had admired scarcely less than he
did the dog, crowed a loud, clear note.
Houston, with that element of super.
'stition which finds a place in nearly
every mind, accepted the early greet
ings of his friends as happy omen,
and marking the bullet one side for
the dog and the other for the chicken,
made up his mind that his pistol
should be loaded with it, and that be
would first fire that particular ball at
Gen. White. He afterward said that
she was not superstitions, but these
two circumstances made him feel as
sured of success" thus disproying his
own words.
The bullet was used and White fell
at the first 6re, as stated After the
duel Houston selected coat farms
"a chicken cock and dog" and many
were the comments made by those un-
familiar with the facts in after years
when rs president of Texas and sena-
tor in congress, he sported SO strange
crest. These facts are authentic.
having been related by Gen. Houston
to Sanford Duncan, jr., late Of Louis
vile, while the two were en- route to
Washington city during Houston's
term as senator,